A century of harvest to be marked on Sunday

The Century of Harvest event is now just days away. The unique event will see every method of harvesting corn, from the earliest days of farming to the hi-tech systems of the present day, take place in the same field in Wexford.

Organised by Rathangan Country Fair (Y35 KT65), over a year of planning and months of intense preparation have been focused on ensuring that visitors from all over Ireland and beyond get the opportunity to see how mankind has harvested the crops they grew over time. The scythe used by ancient civilisations in Egypt, Persia, Peru and indeed Ireland will be demonstrated, alongside the monster machines of today.

In all, 14 different harvesting processes will be presented, across four separate plots. The first will begin with sickle and scythe, progressing to reapers, first horse-drawn, then tractor-pulled. Plot two will focus on the era of reaper-binders, showing the transition from horses to tractors.

Combines will first appear in plot three, with the evolution from the tractor pulled bagger combine to the first self-propelled tanker combines on view. The final plot brings us right up to the present day, with larger combines and bigger balers on view.

A host of other attractions are promised.

“There will be thatching, bread-making, beer distilling, straw and clay wallbuilding, it’s a real family occasion,” says chair Ray Rochford.

“A 132-page commemorative booklet will be available, giving a deep insight into the evolution of grain farming, with display boards all across the site.”

Gates open at 10am, with the first cutting at 1.30pm.

The world record attempt will take place at 3pm, following which the All-Ireland hurling final will be screened.